R50p CPU upgrade, GPU heatsink, Windows, and battery questions

[Torkell]

I've got a R50p that I'm still using, and having fixed a failed backlight I'm looking at what other upgrades I can do to eke out a bit more usefulness (yes, I know I should just buy a new laptop, but I've got a T440p from work and that's horrid). The upgrades I'm looking at are:

1. CPU: What's the best CPU I can fit? It came with a Pentium M "Banias" 1.6, which I've since replaced with a Pentium M "Dothan" 715 (from a R50e that suffered terminal screen failure). I don't know if I could fit a 533MT/s FSB Pentium M, or if only the 400MT/s ones work.

2. GPU heatsink: The fan runs almost constantly and tpfancontrol shows that the GPU (a FireGL T2) is running rather warm. I noticed that the GPU only has a small passive heatsink, and I've seen threads suggesting that this can be replaced with the CPU/GPU cooler from I think a T4x-series laptop (I can't find the posts, sorry). Is this worth doing?

3. Windows 7: Good idea, bad idea, or terrible idea? For reference I'm currently on Windows XP. From what I've gathered I think the main issue will be finding a GPU driver.

4. Battery: Any recommendations for replacement/refurbished batteries? 1 hour battery life is a bit short these days.

The original model-type is 1832-2AG. It's had a few other upgrades over the years:
* 1.5GB RAM total (1GB + 512MB)
* Pentium M "Dothan" 715 CPU
* Intel PRO/Wireless 2915ABG 802.11a/b/g Mini-PCI WiFi adapter
* 256GB Plextor PX-256M5M mSATA SSD in a mSATA-to-PATA adapter

[ajkula66]

Welcome to the forum!

1. CPU: What's the best CPU I can fit? It came with a Pentium M "Banias" 1.6, which I've since replaced with a Pentium M "Dothan" 715 (from a R50e that suffered terminal screen failure). I don't know if I could fit a 533MT/s FSB Pentium M, or if only the 400MT/s ones work.

Only 400MHz CPUs work "out of the box" so your best bet is either PM 745 or PM 755.

2. GPU heatsink: The fan runs almost constantly and tpfancontrol shows that the GPU (a FireGL T2) is running rather warm. I noticed that the GPU only has a small passive heatsink, and I've seen threads suggesting that this can be replaced with the CPU/GPU cooler from I think a T4x-series laptop (I can't find the posts, sorry). Is this worth doing?

I remember kajencik fitting a long fan from T43 with some finagling, years ago. It should be very well worth it.

3. Windows 7: Good idea, bad idea, or terrible idea? For reference I'm currently on Windows XP. From what I've gathered I think the main issue will be finding a GPU driver.

Windows Update will have the driver for your GPU.

4. Battery: Any recommendations for replacement/refurbished batteries? 1 hour battery life is a bit short these days.

I've got no wisdom to offer here...so I'll let someone else chime in. In general, I advise against third-party batteries on ThinkPads.

Happy upgrading.

[Torkell]

Thanks for the reply!

1. CPU: What's the best CPU I can fit? It came with a Pentium M "Banias" 1.6, which I've since replaced with a Pentium M "Dothan" 715 (from a R50e that suffered terminal screen failure). I don't know if I could fit a 533MT/s FSB Pentium M, or if only the 400MT/s ones work.

Only 400MHz CPUs work "out of the box" so your best bet is either PM 745 or PM 755.

Thought as much. Semi-related question: if I fit the 2.1GHz 765, will the execute-disable capability in that one work (this is more out of curiosity than anything else - and as tempting as the extra speed is, the 755 is quite a bit cheaper...)? Intel's docs imply that the i855 chipset doesn't really support the NX bit.

2. GPU heatsink: The fan runs almost constantly and tpfancontrol shows that the GPU (a FireGL T2) is running rather warm. I noticed that the GPU only has a small passive heatsink, and I've seen threads suggesting that this can be replaced with the CPU/GPU cooler from I think a T4x-series laptop (I can't find the posts, sorry). Is this worth doing?

I remember kajencik fitting a long fan from T43 with some finagling, years ago. It should be very well worth it.

I've done some more searching and found this thread - is this the one you meant?

3. Windows 7: Good idea, bad idea, or terrible idea? For reference I'm currently on Windows XP. From what I've gathered I think the main issue will be finding a GPU driver.

Windows Update will have the driver for your GPU.

I hadn't thought of trying Windows Update - I've had bad experiences with that and drivers before, but they do seem to have improved things with Windows 7. Thanks!

[ajkula66]

Thought as much. Semi-related question: if I fit the 2.1GHz 765, will the execute-disable capability in that one work (this is more out of curiosity than anything else - and as tempting as the extra speed is, the 755 is quite a bit cheaper...)? Intel's docs imply that the i855 chipset doesn't really support the NX bit.

I've forgotten a lot about this stuff, sadly. Someone else might chime in with the exact info that you're looking for.

I've done some more searching and found this thread - is this the one you meant?

Yes.

Good luck.

[Torkell]

Current status:

Windows 7 is installed and working (for some values of working). I believe I've managed to track down all the required drivers and Windows has even decided that the GPU is fast enough for Aero mode. Next is to get the core ThinkVantage tools installed - at a minimum I'm after the hotkey support and battery management, and if I can get it working reliably Access Connections as well (though the Windows 7 multiple-network support is better than XP). The main issue is finding versions that are compatible with Windows 7 while still supporting the R50p.

Hardware-wise, I've ordered a Pentium M 755 and a 26R9074 T4x long fan (about £10 each off eBay). The CPU is coming from China so it'll be a while before I have it, but the heatsink should turn up sooner so I can see how tricky it'll be to fit.